The Animal Rights Network Records contains correspondence, office files, reports, clippings, publications, mailings, and audiovisual resources documenting the activities of the Animal Rights Network in advocating for the ethical and humane treatment of animals. Issues addressed by the organization include live animal experimentation, ... More

The Animal Rights Network Records contains correspondence, office files, reports, clippings, publications, mailings, and audiovisual resources documenting the activities of the Animal Rights Network in advocating for the ethical and humane treatment of animals. Issues addressed by the organization include live animal experimentation, exploitation of animals for sport and entertainment, intensive breeding and slaughter of domestic animals for food, and irresponsible pet ownership. The Animal Rights Network (ARN) published a bimonthly magazine, The Animals' Agenda, which contained original content and also served to assist smaller animal rights organizations network with members of the animal rights community, as well as maintained a library and archives component. ARN encouraged its members to collect and maintain their own collections documenting the animal rights and animal welfare movements, and many members donated their collections to ARN. The bulk of the material dates from the 1950s to 1990s. In 1979, several Connecticut-based animal rights activists withdrew from Friends of Animals, Inc., to found the Animal Rights Network (ARN). ARN joined forces with the animal rights magazine Agenda, and together they worked to unite local, national, and international animal rights groups to achieve common goals. ARN's main objectives incorporated the central issues confronting the animal rights movement. These objectives included live animal experimentation, exploitation of animals for sport and entertainment, intensive breeding and slaughter of domestic animals for food, and irresponsible pet ownership. The group used its financial resources to develop advertising campaigns and publications in order to educate the public about animal rights issues. In 2001, the board of directors determined that the role of ARN as a movement building and networking tool was no longer necessary, and formed a new organization called the Institute for Animals and Society (IAS) to advance animal advocacy issues in public policy development by conducting scholarly research and analysis, providing education and training, and fostering cooperation with other social justice movements and interests. IAS merged with Society and Animals Forum to create the Animals and Society Institute in 2005. Less